Earth On Its Axis

Chapter 33; When The World Grows Silent

Slader

"You are such a geek"

I watch as Elio grins behind his Cocoa thermal, his smile cheeky although his cheeks colour a sheepish pink.

He'd picked out a solid outfit. By the time I'd finished making the Cocoa, he'd had it all laid out on my bed, shoes and everything.

What he hadn't told me was that he'd ensured our outfits were matching

Both of us were in grey sweatpants, black hoodies, white sneakers and even though it was fucking freezing, he'd even matched our shirts too.

They were white.

If I was honest, it made me feel like a hobo next to him. Here he was striding around with his long ass legs looking fine and dandy and here I was shivering and looking like I'd just got off some high.

I watch as he swallows his Cocoa, before turning to me, cheeks still pink "I think we look pretty cute, to be honest"

I roll my eyes, "You may think that, but I look like a literal rat"

He laughs, eyes glowing under the dim light of the surrounding street lamps.

"Don't worry Honey, you look beautiful"

I roll my eyes, taking a particularly large gulp of my Cocoa in the hopes that the scalding liquid would burn the butterflies starting up in my stomach.

Motherfuckers

It wasn't so much what he said, he spoke as if he'd been talking to me like this for a lifetime. So comfortable and at ease.

I take a hard swallow before Elio grabs my hand, practically dragging me across the pavement, "what the fuck?"

He laughs breathily, long legs eating at the footpath like ants eat sugar, "C'mon Slader, let's speed this up"

He smiles over his shoulder, hair jumping up and down with each stride.

He seemed so happy and aloof. He had the same energy children do on the playground.

The one problem was, I didn't run, at all. Sure, I walked a shit tonne but running was a strict no. I try to pull my hand from his grip but it only tightens.

At this point, I might as well be a rag doll tied to his wrist. "Elio slow down I can't run"

He looks back over his shoulder, giving me a toothy grin, "Sure you can. What do you call this?" He gestures to our hands.

I let out a series of huffs, already feeling the strain in my chest

"Elio—Shit"

I stumble on a crack in the pavement, words literally getting choked up into my throat as Elio slows his pace down to a walk.

He laughs as he steadies me, his breath creating swirls of fog that float up into the dark sky. I shove him sideways, "You little bitch"

He just laughs, throwing an arm over my shoulders as we walk side by side down the footpath. The streets were quiet, you'd think it was just us left in the whole universe with how empty everything was.

It made sense as to why everything was deserted. It had to be midnight by now, but somehow walking with Elio, even stumbling on the footpath, made me feel less alone then I'd felt in a long time.

I'd even say I felt mildly comforted. Even with his arm around me.

Mildly

I watch as he leans downwards so that he can see the side of my face, "You good?"